How a slip turned Indian family's dream trip into nightmare

An Indian-origin family's New Year holiday to Kazakhstan quickly turned into a painful ordeal after the father broke his thighbone in a slip. The family's experience highlights the challenges of traveling abroad without proper preparation, such as travel insurance, and the difficulties of navigating medical care and bureaucracy in a foreign country.

Accident and Hospital Care Woes
The incident occurred when "J," an Indian-origin man, slipped on snow while in Kazakhstan with his wife and two young children, aged 4 and 6. The fall resulted in a broken femur. He was rushed to a government hospital in Kazakhstan, where he was advised to undergo immediate surgery. However, his wife grew concerned about the quality of medical care and contacted local Malayalis for advice. The Malayali Association of Kazakhstan recommended that the family seek medical care either in Kuwait or Kerala, India.

Unhelpful Authorities and Language Barriers

As the family’s distress deepened, the wife reached out to the Indian Embassy for assistance. JD, who shared the details on social media, criticized the embassy for its lack of help. He wrote, “Our officials didn’t offer to contact, or go with her to help.” The language barrier added to the complexity of the situation, leaving the family feeling stranded.

Struggles to Find Flight Back Home
The family faced additional challenges in arranging a flight home. The injured man could not sit upright and required to be flown lying down. However, no airlines operating out of Kazakhstan could accommodate his condition. Attempts to arrange an air ambulance were thwarted by the prohibitive cost, with quotes ranging between 6-7 million rupees.

Rescue by Local Engineer
The situation took a turn when an engineer from Indigo airlines in Kerala intervened. He helped secure approval to remove seats from an aircraft and fit a stretcher for the injured man. However, the family’s troubles were not over yet. The flight would take them only as far as Delhi, and they would need to arrange further travel to Kochi, Kerala.

Final Hurdle: Medical Paperwork
In a recent update, JD shared that another complication had arisen. Indigo airlines required the medical evacuation form to be signed by a Kazakh doctor, but the doctor could only sign forms from the hospital where he worked. This further delayed the family’s plans.

Advice for Future Travelers
JD’s viral social media thread has since served as a cautionary tale for travelers. He urged fellow tourists to get comprehensive travel insurance and be well-prepared for emergencies. "Travellers should have contact information for emergency services and local Indian associations, as well as a reliable translator app to navigate language barriers," he advised.

This family’s difficult journey serves as a reminder of the importance of planning for unexpected situations when traveling abroad.